There is an inherent joy in interacting every day with a creative person. It is nothing less than exciting.
Fortunately this is my reality, and it never becomes routine. Each new project is special and rekindles the pleasure of it all.
Miriam is an accomplished quilter and sews with delicacy and precision, but before the needle and thread touches the fabric, the project has to be conceived, designed and patterns made. Herein lies a process that is mysterious to most of us, inaccessible even, but it is exhilarating to watch it all come together.
Our lives revolve around Nature so it will come as no surprise that much of her work features environmental- or nature-themed motifs.
In the piece above, stylized shorebirds are depicted walking on a sandy beach.
Birds are the most widely loved of all Nature's organisms, with a broad following from casual observer to obsessive twitcher.
Their beauty, toughness and dedication to their young never ceases to be a source of inspiration. From time to time many of us wish we could fly away with them and leave our troubles behind!
Birds have been a part of my life for as long as I have memory and I am looking forward to warblers and other neotropical migrants returning here to breed. The miracle of migration is about to take place, an annual event that never ceases to bring untold excitement, and emotions verging on ecstasy.
Not so long ago I reread Margaret Attwood's The Handmaid's Tale and could not help but make the connection to segments of society today who would impose such conditions on women - and in some jurisdictions are well on the way to doing it. This is barbarism at its worse. There is a pleasure in being married to a strong-willed woman, one with her own values, interests, friends and opinions, a woman not reluctant to challenge you. Why would I want anything less? How much less interesting would be my life? Constant sycophantic approval is what some seem to seek, but I can't imagine anything more boring.
Thank you, Miriam for a life lived well. After all these years each day still gets better.
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Hari OM
ReplyDeleteYay, Miriam - so glad to see you properly at last! Thank you David, for acknowledging her beauty, skill and intellect. The quilts are gorgeous. YAM xx
...David, you found a keeper!
ReplyDeleteI’m still hoping she keeps me!
DeleteMiriam is a very talented woman. Her work is beautiful. You are indeed a lucky man.
ReplyDeleteI shall consult with Bill to see what he thinks about having a strong willed woman as a partner, but I assume he's OK with it, since that's been his life for 45 years now. ;-)
I’m quite sure we both know his answer before the question is asked.
DeleteMy congratulations to Miriam. Her work is truly beautiful. The first two are works of art, and the quilts have undoubtedly comforted and delighted you with their scenes during these winter months.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your reflection on women. I am also fortunate to have a strong wife who, in addition to sharing many interests, has her own.
Felicidades a los dos!
She will be very happy to read your comment, Fernando.
DeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteMiriam's quilts are absolutely amazing! They are so beautifully made, and they are all beautiful. You have to say hi to her and tell her. I'm guessing the ones with the birds on them are your favorites.
It wasn't long ago that I told my husband that the books and the film adaptation of the Handmaid's Tale have become frighteningly realistic. We have read the books and seen the film adaptation of them. It is frightening when reality surpasses fiction.
Hugs and kisses, Marit.
I really like the tree, too, Marit.
DeleteMis felicitaciones a los dos, no todo el mundo tiene la suerte de compartir la vida con una persona maravillosa. Las colchas de Miriam son preciosas, muy bellas y muy bien hechas, lo mismo que las fotos que hace de las aves, una bonita afición que compartís.
ReplyDeleteMuchos besos a ambos.
What a skill she has! Amazing work Miriam and beautiful photo of her :-D
ReplyDeleteMiriam's quilts are lovely. Are those photos printed on fabric in some of those quilts?
ReplyDeleteNo, it’s all store bought fabric, with the panels cut out and reassembled as you see them.
DeleteMiriam's quilts are absolutely beautiful. My favourite is the one where the birds are walking on a sandy beach. The only women I know have always been strong and very creative, I wouldn't want it any other way.
ReplyDeleteFor me it’s a toss up between that one and the tree.
DeleteThe quilts are all exquisite! I think the ducks might be my favorite but the others are quite stunning. Miriam is truly a gifted and creative artist to design and complete them and tell her its now fair to have the gifts and be so beautiful herself. Just Sayin.
ReplyDeleteI might be a little more than strong willed and so is Bob, 40 years of bickering resulted.
That’s an awfully long time to be bickering, Sandra. Too long.
DeleteWhat talent! Her work is truly art. Looks like she has a serious sewing machine too.
ReplyDeleteAll the quilts are a treat for the eyes, but for me the tree and the shorebirds are my favorites.
Mine too.
DeleteThese are so nice! Works of art.
ReplyDeleteThose quilts are works of art! It has been a long time since I've done quilting so I can appreciate how hard that work is.
ReplyDeleteWe are two strong willed people, but we also seem to see eye to eye on many things.
YAY! It's about time you shared Miriam's talents -- and they are numerous. (I know she's an ace photographer, too, from her bird pix here.) But I've never seen her quilting and I am so impressed. You chose some beautiful examples, especially that tree and the shorebirds piece. I knew I would be impressed but yes -- I am SO impressed. Three cheers for giving her her due!
ReplyDeleteShe is sitting here next to me, glass of wine in hand, puffed up to twice her size!
DeleteMiriam's work is exquisite. As a one-time maker of patchwork (hands will no longer allow it) I am in awe.
ReplyDeleteAnd love your partnership.
Absolutely stunning. Miriam has tremendous talent. David, I love ❤️ your blog header. It looks like the owl 🦉 is smiling.
ReplyDeleteI love that you posted about Miriam. She is a fantastic quilter, and you are right about how boring life could be without a creative, strong willed person in one's life. And you must love all these beautiful bird quilts in your home too. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteIf I had my way I’d keep them all and she’d never sell anything! It doesn’t stop with quilts though. Tonight I will sleep in pyjamas she made for me, laying my head on pillow cases she made….and on and on it goes!
DeleteOh my gosh. Her quilts are beautiful. And good on you for showing off her talents.
ReplyDeleteWe have that clock too:)
Oohhhhhh! i think i'm going to die of love right now! what a lovely dedication to the wonderful Miriam, that woman is angelic. Everything she touches turns into warmth, beauty, and home. You are so lucky to have such a loving woman by your side, and i'm so happy for your post today, Miriam deserves it.
ReplyDeleteMany kisses and hugs to you both, dear friends 🤗🤗
What beautiful quilts!
ReplyDeleteGosh, Miriam's quilts are GORGEOUS with those birds. She is a treasure, you lucky man!
ReplyDeleteA truly lovely post, David! Miriam's quilts are exquisite. The first two would be my favourites but the ones with panels cut out from bought fabrics are brilliant too. (If Marcia hadn't already asked about the images, I would have done it.)
ReplyDeleteI have a sewing machine but at the moment time and skills are lacking.
We got about 10 cm of snow last night.
Happy weekend!
Maybe 10cm of snow outside will mean time at the sewing machine inside, Sara!
DeleteMiriam is a very creative woman.
ReplyDeleteThe work she makes is beautiful.
Beautiful photo of Miriam too.
Greetings Irma
Gorgeous quilts your Miriam sew !!!! Bravo to her !!! I see that she share the love for birds too ;)
ReplyDeleteA lovely weekend to both of you !
Anna
Beautiful work by Miriam. Well done. Margaret Attwood was looking at the black swans in Oatlands here on the Island a few years back when we came across her.
ReplyDeleteShe is a dedicated birder, well known for that part of her life.
DeleteI think David that you are very lucky in life. It is so good to have a partner with whom you can share your hobbies, thoughts, desires. Excellent portrait of Miriam.
ReplyDeleteHello David :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a joy it is to see Miriam's creations.They are all beautiful, and her photograph is lovely. This is also a lovely tribute, life can never be dull if you have shared interests, and I hope you have many more years together as I did with my late husband, more than sixty years of shared interests and our own, made each day a pleasure.
Hugs and kisses
Sonjia.
My favourite is the shore birds parading on the sandy beach. Lovely work, and obviously a lovely lady who you love very much!
ReplyDeletePrachtig werk van Mirjam.
ReplyDeleteZo knap hoe ze dat doet.
Daar mag ze trots op zijn.
Groetjes Tinie
Such a wonderful tribute, David. Miriam deserves it. You two are well matched.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful blog post! Miriam is so very talented! Superb!
ReplyDeleteThese are just outstanding. My fave is the bright colored birds.
ReplyDeleteYou know I started The Hand Maid's Tale, but found it too depressingly to try to slog through, so never did read it.
Elbows up:)
Have a grand weekend, chum:)
Miriam is a very talented person. That takes a lot of vision and patience!
ReplyDeleteSkill too.
DeleteThis is such a beautiful declaration of love, David. You are such a lucky guy to have such a wonerful woman by your side. Her quilts are exquisite and she is an excellent photographer. I bet there is so much more... Big hugs to both of you - Carola
ReplyDeleteHi David.
ReplyDeleteThis is really very beautiful.
Your wife does really beautiful work.
Greetings from Patricia.
Miriam sill certainly be walking on air, David, not only because of this great post about her creativity and skill, but also the loving tribute from you. The quilts are wonderful and I suspect others who have bought them also agree, lucky you also have handmade pjs and pillows.
ReplyDeleteAnd shirts, and birding vests, and book covers, and file holders….and on and on!
DeleteWhat a beautifully written reflection—there’s something truly uplifting about witnessing creativity unfold so intimately, especially when it’s tied so closely to nature. Miriam’s work sounds both intricate and soulful, and your appreciation for her artistry makes the process feel all the more special. The way you describe birds—both their resilience and allure—resonates deeply. It’s no wonder they remain such timeless muses. Here’s to the return of the warblers and all the joy that migration brings.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I’ve just shared a new blog post myself—would be delighted if you took a moment to read it and share your thoughts.
David!
ReplyDeleteMiram is an extraordinary woman. Not only talented but also very beautiful. Her patchworks are real masterpieces. They are perfectly sewn and very beautiful. I am delighted that you admire and appreciate your Miriam. It is wonderful, David!!!!!
Greetings.
Lovely work. I thought textiles would be my medium but then I stumbled on glass and that was it. It's so horrible here. I don't understand why so many men want a silent constantly accommodating woman. Now they are trying to take away our right to vote via the SAVE act and the required ID to vote. ID must have the same name as the birth certificate disenfranchising every woman who changed her name after getting married.
ReplyDeleteIt defies belief.
DeleteMiriam's work is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely photograph of her.
All the best Jan
Miriam is wonderful,
ReplyDeleteher work is absolutely artistic and
you are very lucky to have found each other.
I hope you will be together for many, many more years, so happy!!
Excellent word of Miriam. I love them. Well done Miriam. Have a nice day !
ReplyDeletePasarile de coasta: +++++
ReplyDeleteOh my, you made my eyes water with sheer joy of reading this post, seeing the beauty of Miriam's work and especially your wonderful words about her! Her artistic projects are treasures and she is a treasure too!
ReplyDeleteWOW, Miriam's work is incredible and she is also beautiful as well. So nice to meet her after all these years, she is a very special person with her photography as well. You are a very lucky man I think. Bisous mon ami, Diane
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteTrust me, given what's going on in my country, there are times I wish I could flap my arms and migrate to someplace else.
Anyway, Miriam has a very nice smile she has, and obviously she's very talented.
Preciosos los trabajos de Miriam, me gustan mucho, ella también es muy guapa. Tienes mucha suerte David de tener una mujer como ella a tu lado, aunque seguro que ella también está muy feliz al tuyo. Abrazos y a seguir así muchos años más. Abrazos para los dos.
ReplyDeleteA lovely tribute! Her work is remarkable.
ReplyDelete